Wisconsin Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs
Prospective Wisconsin teachers who have not completed a traditional teacher preparation program may be able to pursue alternative teacher certification. Alternative teacher preparation programs, or non-traditional programs, are designed for those with a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. If you do not have a bachelor’s degree, visit our guide to traditional route certification in Wisconsin. There are several pathways to alternative certification in Wisconsin designed to attract educators in critical shortage content fields, such as STEM subjects. Continue reading to find out more about the pathways available for non-traditional teachers.
Table of Contents
- Wisconsin Alternative Certification Requirements
- Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses
- Testing Requirements
- Licenses From Another State
- Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs
- Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
- Additional Resources
Requirements for Alternative Certification
The minimum requirement to pursue alternative teacher certification in Wisconsin is typically a bachelor’s degree. In most cases, candidates must complete, or have a plan to complete, an alternative teacher preparation program. You can review alternative teacher preparation programs that hold state approval through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI).
Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Wisconsin
Wisconsin offers six different pathways to alternative teacher certification to accommodate individuals with diverse education and experience backgrounds who are interested in transitioning to teaching. For most pathways, the minimum qualification is a bachelor’s degree; to earn full certification, most candidates must complete a state-approved alternative teacher preparation program.
Alternative Route Program Pathway
The Alternative Route Program Pathway requires candidates to have a bachelor’s degree with a major in the subject to be taught. This pathway is only for designated shortage areas such as mathematics, science, and special education. Candidates must teach in a classroom while completing an approved alternative route educator preparation program (EPP). After completing the program and taking the required exams, candidates will be eligible for an Initial Educator License.
American Board Certification Pathway
Candidates with a bachelor’s degree who have completed a teacher preparation program through the American Board for the Certification of Teacher Excellence (American Board) are eligible for provisional licensure. American Board only offers preparation in select subjects, including but not limited to social studies, science, mathematics, cross categorical special education, elementary education, and English language arts. To be admitted, candidates must pass the required exams, submit transcripts, and pass a federal background check. Visit the American Board website for additional information on this teacher preparation pathway.
Experience-Based Technical and Vocational Education Subjects Pathway
This pathway is similar to career and technical education (CTE) certification in other states. Subject areas such as information technology, engineering, and transportation are covered under this pathway. Candidates must have extensive training and experience in a trade, technical field, or vocational area to qualify for an endorsement in a career and technical subject. Once hired under a provisional three-year license, candidates following this pathway must complete a professional development curriculum to earn full licensure.
Post-Baccalaureate Pathway
Under the Post-Baccalaureate Pathway, candidates who have a bachelor’s degree complete an approved teacher licensure program and earn a master’s degree or teacher licensure only. Candidates must attend a Wisconsin-approved school to qualify for licensure under this pathway. You can find a list of approved schools through the DPI website. Candidates in this pathway must also pass the state exams for educators to become eligible for an Initial Educator License.
Professional Teaching Permit (Tier I) Pathway
Candidates with five years of industry experience and a bachelor’s degree may qualify for an Initial Professional Teaching Permit. The major must be in engineering, math, science, computer science, art, music, or world languages. Candidates must demonstrate competency in the subject area by passing an approved standardized test, complete an alternative teacher training program, and complete at least 100 hours of formal instruction in the subject area through the training program. Wisconsin has no approved program providers for this pathway as of March 2025. Visit the DPI website for detailed information on requirements.
Upper Level Technology Education Permit/Trade Specialist Pathway
This pathway is open to candidates who completed an apprenticeship program and three years of experience in an occupational area. Candidates may also qualify with four years of institutional training in an occupational area or with certification by the technical college system board to teach an industrial arts or similar subject. Areas recognized include machining, welding, and auto body repair. Review the DPI website for further details.
Testing Requirements for Wisconsin Alternative Certification
In most cases, those following alternative pathways must pass the same exams as all other educators in the state. Teacher candidates must demonstrate competence in their subject area through a DPI-approved method. These vary by EPP but include the Praxis Subject Test or ACTFL World Language Test, a minimum GPA in the license area, and a content-based portfolio designed by the EPP. Those who wish to teach early childhood, elementary education, special education, or reading must also take the Wisconsin Foundations of Reading Test (FORT).
Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State
Experienced teachers with out-of-state certifications and at least one year of teaching experience can apply for reciprocity in Wisconsin. In some cases, out-of-state applicants may be able to waive the examination requirements. Those who completed a teacher preparation program out-of-state but do not have one year of experience may qualify for the Out-of-State Pathway. For more details on reciprocity, review our teaching license reciprocity resource or the DPI website.
Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Wisconsin
To qualify for teacher certification, you must complete an approved teacher preparation program. Alternative route teacher licensing programs typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The not-for-profit, school-based alternative certification programs below have been approved by DPI for the preparation of teachers.
| State-Approved School | Accreditation | Program Type(s) | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment4 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers4 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate4 | Net Price5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alverno College | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $18,243 |
| Carroll University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $24,050 |
| Carthage College* | — | Alternative, Master’s | — | — | — | $26,643 |
| Concordia University Wisconsin | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $25,830 |
| Edgewood College* | — | Alternative, Master’s | — | — | — | $27,679 |
| Maranatha Baptist University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $20,542 |
| Marian University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $21,032 |
| Marquette University | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $33,566 |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $13,484 |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | — | Certificate | — | — | — | $17,083 |
| University of Wisconsin-River Falls | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $14,318 |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point* | — | Alternative, Certificate | — | — | — | $14,122 |
| Viterbo University | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $20,512 |
| Wisconsin Lutheran College | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $21,761 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
- *Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. Students may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact programs for further information.
Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in Wisconsin based on the shortest possible time to completion. Shorter alternative certification programs are often more affordable since they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (8 months)
- Edgewood College (12 months)
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (12 months)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (14 months)
- Carroll University (17 months)
- Carthage College (18 months)
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (18 months)
Additional Resources
- DPI Pathways to Licensure: Details requirements for each route to teacher licensure in Wisconsin.
- Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide: Our guide to teacher certification by reciprocity for teachers who are already licensed in one state and wish to seek licensure in another.
- Wisconsin Approved Educator Preparation Programs List: Directory of programs approved in the state for the preparation of teachers.
Related Articles
- Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
- Wisconsin Traditional Teacher Certification Guide
- Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide
References:
1. Wisconsin State Department of Public Instruction: https://dpi.wi.gov/
2. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
3. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
4. US Department of Education 2021 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
5. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/